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Winners issue ‘open challenge’ in this year’s Seagull Wings Cook-off

A group of judges taste wings and make notes during the wings cook-off last year.

— image credit: Courtesy Photo

Last year’s winners of the Seagull Wings Cook-off has issued a challenge to amateur and commercial contestants for this year’s event.

MoonDogs, Too owner Darryl Baldwin issued a restaurant “throw down.” Last year, MoonDogs, Too — who has participated every year of the cook-off — took first in the Commercial Category and People’s Choice Award.

“It’s clear to me that no other chefs in town can stand up to or challenge the superior chef team of MoonDogs, Too,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said, in terms of creativity and style in the world of cooking wings, it takes an individual with years of experience, dedication and commitment to the ideal “that not all wings are created equal.”

“If I owned a restaurant in Kitsap County, especially in Port Orchard, I would be hard pressed to suffer the humiliation of defeat, one that is inevitable when going up against MoonDogs, Too, in any restaurant challenge,” he added. “Good luck trying to find competitors.”

Last year, Steve Sego and Team Sego’s Seagulls won first place in the Amateur Category at the cook-off for the second year in a row.

“It’s been an honor to have been selected twice by a panel of renowned local luminaries and culinary critics as Seagull Wings champion these last two years,” said Sego. “Now Sego’s Seagulls is hungry for a three-peat.”

Sego said his team welcomes any challengers of “wings wanna-be” who thinks they have what it takes to dethrone the reigning champions.

“If you share our passion for these delectable appendages from our local Seagull population, and believe you have the skill and creative magic to sway the judges, then bring it on,” Sefo said.

Contestants hoping to win bragging rights for their wing recipes need to apply for this year’s sixth annual Seagull Wings Cook-off on Sunday, May 26, which is part of the Kitsap Harbor Festival set for May 25-27.

In celebration of the Seagull Calling Festival’s 25th anniversary, the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce will waived all entry fees for the wings cook-off, announced Chamber Executive Director Coreen Haydock.

Because space is limited and Haydock said registration forms for amateur and commercial entries, rules and procedures are available online at www.portorchard.com or by calling the Chamber at 360-876-3505.

Applications and fees are due no later than May 20.

The cook-off features hundreds of “seagull” wings created, grilled and served up by

both amateur and commercial contestants hoping to win bragging rights for their wing recipes.

Judges will sample, deliberate and announce “Whose Wings Reign Supreme!” for first, second and third place in two categories — amateurs (home cooks and grillers) and commercial (restaurants, caterers and other commercial kitchens).

Wings will be distributed to the public for $1 for a wing donation and attendees can vote on the People’s Choice.

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